Foundations for Growth
// Tim DeTellis
Happy birthday New Missions! On January 6, 2021, we will celebrate the 38th anniversary of our ministry.
Day one for New Missions started in tents down a three-mile dirt road—situated on five acres of land along the ocean in Neply/Bord-Mer, Haiti. Our mission had no electricity, no running water, no toilet facility, and we were using the stream or ocean for bathing. It took three months to build our first building which would be home to missionary housing and space for a medical clinic, office, and kitchen.
Pastor George DeTellis preaching at our first church—under the coconut trees with the banner: Haiti Hope in God.
We arrived on a Thursday and began our first church service three days later under coconut trees—with a banner tied between two trees which read: “Haiti Esperance en Dieu” (Haiti Hope in God).
During 2021, we will build churches in Chateau and Vieux Court, Haiti, because the local church is the greatest force for good.
Taking a walk down memory lane reminds me of our seven foundational values. We begin each value by saying, “Together, we are…”
1. Listening to God because He knows what’s best for us, so we humbly seek Him.
2. Preaching the Gospel because only God changes lives forever.
3. Making disciples because this is the true measurement of success.
4. Giving generously because we steward what’s not ours.
5. Only fearing God because we report to God and He is our ultimate strength and provision.
6. Doing the right thing because our integrity and trust with others is our reputation.
7. Focusing for impact because excellence requires our priority and attention.
Pastor Yaguel Nerat, a graduate of New Missions, pastors our first church in Bord-Mer, and knows the power of prayer.
Together, we are living life on mission. ~Tim DeTellis
